The Joy of Fear. One of the very best, a terrific classic

Review of all 6 parts:

This has been acclaimed as an all time classic for many years and deservedly so. It is terrific in every department. 

The story involves the Great Intelligence, the villain introduced earlier in season 5 and which would return some 45 years later, shortly before and during the shows 50th anniversary season. The threat posed by this villain and the actions of his minions the Yeti, provide cracking entertainment and thrills. 

The Great Intelligence causes the TARDIS to go to Earth where the evil power is carrying out an attack on London including robot Yeti marauding through the London underground. 

There is plenty of action, there is mystery as to who is under the influence of the Intelligence and consistently great dialogue supporting a tremendously high standard of story (written brilliantly by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln) throughout the 6 episodes. The number of great characters is incredible with Nicholas Courtney as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart (later to be Brigadier, regular 'companion' to The Doctor) making his notable debut, the return of Professor Travers (Jack Watling) and the addition of Anne Travers (Tina Packer), the journalist Chorley (Jon Rollason) and some excellent soldiers especially Sgt. Arnold (Jack Woolgar). Great villains, brilliant acting from the whole cast (including regulars Pat Troughton, Frazer Hines and Deborah Watling), great direction from Douglas Camfield, quality production values and set design with a fine script and effects make this pretty flawless. 

This is a true all time classic with an atmosphere and a magic which make it one of the best Who stories ever and therefore as good as TV gets! All 6 episodes 10/10.

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The sci-fi genre, short for science fiction, features imaginative and futuristic concepts that are often rooted in scientific principles, technology, and possibilities. These stories delve into "what if" questions and can serve as a platform to address contemporary social, political, and ethical issues by projecting them onto future or alternate settings.

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Victoria and Travers are held prisoner by the Great Intelligence, who is planning to drain the Doctor's mind.

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The Web of Fear: Episode 5

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